Risk of Ignoring Usability

Usability is critical to e-business. Many companies use their website as their main public presence. Therefore, websites must instill the same levels of confidence as the traditional stores, offices and sales staff they replace.

If a website is not easy to use, then the visitor will not feel confident with the company. This can prove costly when competitors are only a mouse click away. If your site is difficult to use, then don't expect people to waste their time on it. "Launching a site that is difficult to use means that you not only lose your best customers - those who are eager to use the service - but they will also warn others not to visit the site." (Jakob Nielsen, Nielsen Norman Group). No matter how well-designed a site is, it always pays off to have independent experts give it a fresh look and evaluate it.